Wehrli, Ives, Connelly to Host Town Hall on School Funding Bill

August 7, 2017

LISLE – State Representatives Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville) and Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) along with State Senator Michael Connelly (R-Naperville) will host a Town Hall Meeting on the status of the controversial education funding reform bill, Senate Bill 1, and what is at stake for local taxpayers and school districts at 9:30am on Saturday, August 12 at Benedictine University’s Goodwin Business Building’s Hall of Leaders (4thFloor), located at 5700 College Road in Lisle.

The Illinois General Assembly is expected to return to session in Springfield as early as August 14 to deliberate upon the Governor’s partial veto of Senate Bill 1.

“Republicans agree that this legislation is historic and important – and that’s why we have to make sure we get it right,” said Representative Wehrli. “We have been very clear about our concerns on this legislation from the moment it was amended and passed in the legislature on May 31. There is no more time to lose. Democrats have played politics with this bill all summer. Suburban parents and taxpayers need to know how this will affect us before moving forward.”“It is very disturbing to me that perhaps some of the most valuable real estate in Illinois—the Loop and Wrigleyville, are limited in value according to the funding formula contained in Senate Bill 1 in a manner that makes CPS look poorer than what it actually is, and thus subject to receive more state education dollars than it should,” said Senator Connelly. “Senate Bill 1 is nothing less than a Chicago Public Schools bailout placed on the backs of suburban and downstate taxpayers.”“Senate Bill 1 is not about improving education and outcomes in Chicago, or any school in Illinois for that matter,” Representative Ives said. “It is a bailout for CPS’ pension debt. The new money for CPS under Senate Bill 1 would go to service their pensions and debt, NOT into the classroom. It is clear to everyone that CPS has been grossly mismanaged for decades, and now they want Illinois taxpayers to foot the bill. DuPage County families and taxpayers need to know how this impacts them and have their voice heard in this process.”

For questions or more information, please contact Representative Ives’ office at (630) 384-9719 or Senator Connelly’s office at (630) 453-5488.